Improvement in folding rocking-chairs



HQB. SMITH. Folding Rocking-Chair.

Patented' Aug. 20,1878.

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MPFTERS, PHOTO-LITHOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. D. c.

,UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HIRAM B. SMITH, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR'OF ONE- HALF HIS RIGHT TO WM. CHAMBERS, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN FOLDING ROCKING-CHAIR S.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 207,312, dated August 20, 1878, application filed August 7, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HIRAM B. SMITH, of the city and county of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and use ful Improvement in Folding Rocking-Chairs, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification and accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of the chair embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a rear view thereof. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the folded chair.

Similar letters of reference indicate correspondin g parts in the several figures.

My invention consists of a rocking-chair which may be readily folded in compact form. I employ cross-legs and a downwardly-extended back, which parts are so connected to the rockers that they may be folded toward one end of the same, and the structure is strong and serviceable.

Referring to the drawings, A represents cross-legs, which are connected, intermediate of their ends, by an axial rod, a. B represents the seat, which is secured to the upper ends of the cross-legs A. 0 represents the back, the upright pieces of which are connected to the cross-pieces b at the rear of the seat by aslotted joint, and extended downwardly and pivoted to the lower end of the rear cross-legs, the pivot consisting of a rod, D, which is passed through opposite upright pieces of the back, the rear cross-legs, and guiding-loops or slotted plates E on the upper faces of the rockers F. The forward ends of the front cross-legs are hinged or pivoted to the front of the rockers, as at d, for which purpose I may employ a hinge for each rocker, or a rod connecting both rockers and the two front cross-legs.

If desired, the space between the uprights of the back 0 may be occupied by a piece of fabric extending from the rear of the seat to the top of the back, as shown by the dotted lines, or be azcontinuation of the seat.

The operation is as follows: When the chair is to be folded the lower end of the back is forced toward the front end of the rockers, whereby the cross-legs close or fold, the back is lowered, and legs and back assume somewhat horizontal positions over the rockers, the sliding joint of the rockers and back permittin g such motions and positions.

It will be noticed that the lower ends of both sets of cross-legs A and the back Ggather at the front end of the rockers, so that the parts fold in compact form, and they may be readily carried. The fabric of the seat folds in between or over the upper ends of the cross-legs.

When the chair is required for service the back is raised and its lower end moved rearward, or the crosslegs separated or unfolded, whereby the several parts assume their nor mal positions, as shown in Fig. 1. It will be noticed that the connection of the legs and back with the rockers provides a strong structure, and lateral movement of the rear of the cross-legs and back is prevented, as said legs or the lower end of the back abut against the rockers. One leg of each side will be slotted for the passage of the axial rod a, so as to permit the folding of the legs to the greatest possible extent, and also to lower the seat when the chair is unfolded.

I am aware that a folding rocking-chair is not new, and that such has been constructed of a seat pivoted to the front and rear legs, guide-rods secured to the legs, and slotted plates on the sides of the rockers; but as in my invention the legs and extension of the back may be moved toward one end of the rockers, and thus produce a rocking-chair which folds in small. compass, and the downwardly-extending back increases the strength of the chair, I believe that I have made an improvement in the art.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The cross-legs A, hinged to the front of the rockers, in combination with the back 0, extended downwardly, pivoted to the crosslegs, and connected to the rockers by sliding joints, whereby the cross-legs and back fold toward the front end of the rockers, substan tially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The folding rocking-chair consisting of the cross-legs A, seat B, rockers F, guides E, and the back 0, extending downwardly to and connected to the rockers and cross-legs, sub stantially as and for the purpose set forth.

. H. B. SMITH. Witnesses:

JOHN A. WIEDERsHEIM, H. E. GARSED. 

